Counterbalance construction for hinged covers



D. W. SELLEK.

COUNTERBALANCE CONSTRUCTION FOR HINGED COVERS.

' APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21, I920.

1 ,345,26 1 Patented June 29, 1920.

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UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID W. SELLEK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COUNTERBALANGE CONSTRUCTIQN FOR 'H'ILIGED COVERS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that. 1, DAVID W. SELLEK, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in counterbalance Constructions for Hinged Covers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to new and sew iceable means for counterbalancing hinged covers or closures, more particularly, but not exclusively, phonograph-cabinet covers, and for holding such swinging elements firmly closed in proper position without canting or tilting, hence eliminating any possibility of the cover becoming warped or twisted in time.

A further' purpose of the invention is the provision of effective and simplemeans for employing the same spring Which counterbal'ances the cover and assists in lifting it to hold thecover properly in true and correct position when closed.

An additional ob]e ct of the invention is to supply a construction of this general character which is simple in structure, comprising but few parts, which is economical to manufacture and hence capable of being sold at a relatively. low figure, which is unlikely to become damaged or injured in service, which will fit all or practically all types of phonograph-cabinet constructions, and which-may be applied to such articles with ease and facility. v v

The manner of attaining these and other desirableobjects and aimsmay be'understood' from a consideration of the structural and functional features of a preferred embodiment of the invention which I'have illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and to which reference should be had in connection v with the following detailed description, and throughout the views of which like reference characters refer'to the same parts.

In this drawing:

Figure 1' is a fragmentary, vertical section through a hinged-cover cabinet illustrating the counterbalancing ,mechanism; and V v Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssection on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring to this. drawing, it will be perceived that the usual and ordinary phon0- graph or other cabinet 10 is provided with the customary cover 11 hinged thereto at the ear or lug 29.

When the hinged cover 11 is down on the- Specification ofLettersPatent; P t nt d Jun 29, g Application fi1e'd.February.21, 1920. Serial No, 360,364.

to swing or oscillate in its own'plane, that p is, lengthwise the base 19, regardlessof its angular relation thereto laterally. In other words, such hook element may be fastened to the insides of covers with angles of dif ferent slope or inclination and the link readily accommodates itself to existing conditions without at all interfering with its capability of the proper rocking action thereon.

The lower end ofthe link is pivotally connected at21 near the free end of a rockarm 22 fulcrumed at 23 on a bowed or elevated support '24 fastened to the inner side of the cabinet by screws 25, 25. The

free end of this rock-arm or lever has a transveresely or laterally bent apertured car 26 to which one end of a helical spring 27 is secured, the-other end being connected to a screw eye- 28 extended through a hole in the outstanding arm 29 of an angle-piece, or f bracket 30, the other arm of which is pivoted or fulcrumed to the side of the cabinet at 31.

The tension or strain on the helical spring is maintained and may be adjusted by means of a nut 32 on the threaded shank of the screw-eye. bearing against the back face of cabinetin closed position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, it is held pulled down by reason of the action of spring 27 which is slightly beyond the line of centers 23, 31, the cover thus being held yieldingly in correct and proper position, and hence, unlikely to become warped or twisted by reason of uneven strains imposed upon it. When it is desired to lift or swing the cover upwardly into the dotted line position, the operator merely lifts the cover upwardly and rearwardly around its hinge mounting and immediately, by reason of the turning of arm 22 on its fulcrum 23, the spring is shifted to the other side of the line of centers, and

by its contraction it counterbalances the Weight of the cover and assists in its upward swinging, the spring being of suflicient strength to maintain the cover in'the elevated dotted line position shown, During this operation, the link 17 turns on the hook connection 18, as will be readily understood, and the extent of upward movement of the cover is determined by the engagement of: the ear 'or lug 26 with the underside of the wall 15. 'T he spring 2"? counterbalances the weight of the cover throughout practically its entire range of swinging movement, but just as such cover approaches its lowermost position, the spring shifts to the other side of the line of centers and acts to hold the cover down yieldingly on the top of the cabinet with which it is associated. f r The invention is not limited and restricted to the precise and exact details of construction presented because these may be changed within comparatively wide limits without departure from the substance and essence of 'the invention and without the sacrifice of tion of the character described, the combination of a hook-member adapted to be secured to the hinged cover, a link pivoted on said hook, a lever adapted to be fulcrumed on the body of the cabinet with which the cover is associated and pivotally connected tosaid link, a bracket designed to be pivotally mounted on the cabinet, a spring connected tosaid lever and bracket, the construction and arrangement of said elements causing the, spring to pass the line of pivot centers of'said lever and bracket near the closed position of the cover, whereby the spring may counterbalance the cover and may also hold it closed, substantially as described. 7

2. In a cover-counterbalancing construction of the character described, the combinaon the cabinet, and a spring connected to said lever and scribed. I

3.111 a cover-counterbalancing construction of the character described, the combination of a member adapted to be. secured to the hinged cover, a lever adapted to be fulcrumed on the cabinetwith which the cover is associated, a link pivotally connected to said member and lever, a bracket designed to bracket, substantially as debe fulcrumed on said cabinet, and a spring connected to said bracket and to a laterallybent ear of said lever, said ear constituting a stop to engage a part of the cabinet to limit the upward movement of the cover, substantially as described. l V

4. In a cover-counterbalancing' construction or the character described, the combination of a hook-member ada'pted to be secured to the hinged cover, an'apertured link in the hole of which the hook of said member re-.

vsides, whereby the link may have a pivotal mounting on the hook in a plurality of different angular positions of the link, a lever. adapted'to be fulcrumedon'the body of the the cabinet, a spring connected to said' bracket, and to a laterally-bent ear of said lever and adapted to pass the line of pivot centers of said lever and bracket near the closed position of the cover, whereby the spring may counterbalance the cover. and may also hold it closed,said lever ear constis tuting a stop for cooperation 'witha part of the cabinet to limit the upward swinging of the cover, substantially as described; H

DAVID SELLEK. 

